The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the first dog drug - Cerenia to prevent and treat vomiting in dogs associated with motion sickness. Most dogs get nauseated while they are traveling in a car, which can lead to vomiting and severe dehydration if left untreated.

The new dog drug, which is manufactured by Pfizer, can both be used in tablet and injection form to prevent vomiting associated with motion sickness.

According to FDA reports, an injectable form of the drug, known generically as maropitant citrate has also been approved. It can prevent and treat acute vomiting due to chemotherapy, parvovirus, kidney disease, pancreatitis and other causes. Cerenia tablets and injections are available only through a veterinarian.

Carsickness, a type of motion sickness, is a very common problem in dogs. Receptors in the ear called the vestibular apparatus help an animal process position and movements. These movement signals are relayed by the 8th cranial nerve to the brain, including the CRTZ (chemoreceptor trigger zone).

The CRTZ is one of the zones in the brain that controls the vomiting reflex by input of signals to the lateral reticular formation vomiting centre. The dog will experience motion sickness if the signals coming in are excessive. Signs of motion or carsickness include drooling (salivation), and vomiting.

The dehydration caused by motion sickness can also lead to the death of a dog, if left untreated.